The Ontario Government says its providing stability and greater customer choice, while helping those struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The new COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8 cents per kilowatt hour is now in effect and will be in place until October 31st.
Minister of Energy and Northern Development and Mines Greg Rickford says the fixed rate will apply to customers 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Rickford notes starting November 1st, customers will be able to choose a plan that best suits their household and lifestyle with the option of either time-of-use electricity rates or tiered pricing, which will provide a set rate for electricity up to a certain level of consumption.
The Kenora-Rainy River MPP has also extended the Ontario Energy Board’s winter disconnection ban until July 31st to ensure no one is disconnected from their natural gas or electricity service.
Other initiatives announced Monday by Rickford:
-$9 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to support consumers struggling to pay their energy bills during the pandemic. CEAP will provide one-time payments to consumers to help pay down any electricity bill debt incurred over the cornavirus period. Applications will be available through local utilities in July.
-$8 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) to provide support to businesses struggling with bill payments as a result of the outbreak.
Rickford says “We recognize that businesses and families are living with a great deal of uncertainty, and they need to know what they can expect when they open their electricity bills every month.”
Rickford says he recognizes that electricity prices will go up a bit for some consumers but notes it’s still cheaper than regular time-of-use rates, almost double that at peak.
